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That's how I felt about today's story about Brian Price's first quarter on the job. I started asking him some questions on Wednesday before the Reds' final game of the three-game series in D.C.

I knew I had to have a story for today's paper, so I thought to see with roughly a quarter of his first season under his belt, how he thought he was doing.

Coincidentally, it happened before his most visible managing move of the season, when he fired up the troops before the fourth inning, to help inspire a 2-1 victory. Of course, he deferred any credit after the game and didn't want to get into what he said or why he did.

However, before the game he did open up a little more. Afterward, a couple of the D.C. writers looked at me and asked me if Price was always this honest and forthcoming. They were all pretty astounded when I said that's just how Price is.

I've long been a believer that a manager's biggest job is managing people (and you hear him talk about how managing is different than coaching) and that's something Price excels at doing.

Like he says, everything hasn't worked out as he'd hoped or planned, and he's made some mistakes. But he's one of the few in his position that will acknowledge that -- and that's the type of leadership he brings. And to me, that's what will make him a good manager. His players respect the heck out of him and he's earning their trust.

Oh, and the last quote, I put the question in there and left his short answer in, because I thought it was funny -- as did he.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it.

MINOR LEAGUE ROUNDUP

Triple-A -- Buffalo 4, Louisville 2: Both runs came on Ruben Gotay's ninth-inning homer. It was his 10th of the season. [Box]

Double-A -- Birmingham 4, Pensacola 3: Robert Stephenson gave up just one run on two hits over six innings. He did walk four, but struck out six. Juan Duran hit his fifth homer of the season and DH Josh Fellhauer was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI. [Box]

High-A -- Bakersfield 8, Lancaster 2: Five Blaze hitters had two hits each, led by C David Vidal, who had a homer and a double, knocking in three. 1B Marquez Smith hit his ninth homer of the season, a two-run shot in the first. [Box]

Low-A -- Dayton 8, West Michigan 4: Phillip Ervin hit his first official homer of the season -- he'd homered earlier this month in a game that was called early because of rain and wasn't official. Daniel Wright struck out six over six innings, allowing just one run on three hits and no walks. The right-hander stands at 3-2 with a 2.06 ERA. [Box]

• Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires talk about music and their relationship. [WNYC.org]

Here's the two together on stage if you're wondering why you should care.

• You knew the Brienne of Tarth and Prodrick "Perfect Strangers" mashup was coming, and you knew it was going to be awesome -- and it is, and thank goodness they waited until this week so we could get some Hotpie action.